The UWA Maali men have continued their triumphant record against crosstown rivals Curtin Carnabys with two closely contested derby games at home.
Every year, the UBL derby round between the UWA Maali and Curtin Carnabys is a game that is fuelled with passion and pride. This year’s highly anticipated fixture exceeded expectations as the UWA Maali were pushed to their limits, walking away with one win and a loss against the Curtin Carnabys.
An inspired UWA Maali Women’s team were able to assert dominance early in the game with thrilling performances from Week 6 UBL Player of the Week, Abbey Hall and Courtney Walsh. The battle of the West brought a new level of intensity and rivalry to the game. The first half saw the two teams separated by 1 point with Curtin Carnabys taking the lead. The game fluctuated in momentum with each side delivering exquisite patches of basketball. UWA Maali’s defensive pressure could not contain the dominant attacking end of Curtin with Eva Cooke and Aleka Kabugua both scoring 15 points each in the game. Abbey Hall provided grit and a real threat against the rivals, notching 21 points in the game including a three-point shot accompanied by steals and blocks.
The rivalry round also saw the return of Sydney Meares in the Maali strip after weeks of being ruled out. It was an impressive first outing for the veteran with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in 26 minutes of play. Courtney Walsh proved to be a headache for the Curtin foes with 4 steals, 4 rebounds and 8 points in the game. Unfortunately, the crosstown rivals pulled away with a lead in the last half of the game, walking away with a 14 point win over UWA Maali (65-51).
On the back of their magnetic performance against La Trobe University, UWA Maali Men’s team were ready to fight for a win to come a step closer to securing a finals spot. A shell-shocked UWA Maali were on the backfoot early in the game, with the Carnaby men drawing first blood and asserting their physicality early in the game to lead the home team 8-0 in the first 5 minutes. Playing in front of a packed UWA crowd, Head Coach Jackson Mews was unimpressed with the lacklustre approach from his team. A pivotal time-out saw the men ‘rev up’ and take on the physicality of the game. Similarly, the men’s game ebbed and flowed with momentum swinging between the two sides for much of the game. UWA Maali were ruthless in their pursuit to claim victory with an emphatic second quarter. Joe Harwood continued to shine on the big stage, electrifying the home crowd with 19 points, 4 rebounds and 1 block. The work rate of Keegan Schrick proved critical in the last quarter with the rookie clinching 18 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals.
Curtin Carnabys mounted a comeback that tested the strength of the home side in the last quarter. In a heated battle, the final stanza saw Captain Blake Costello lead by example with a phenomenal performance scoring 14 points accompanied with 3 steals, 2 assists and 4 rebounds. UWA Maali men claimed redemption winning 92-82.
Overall, the teams were championing a cause that exceeds trophies, Pride in Sport. The UBL Pride Round aims to increase visibility and provide education and awareness to student athletes, members and supporters.
"Pride round is a great initiative by UniSport Australia. We get to celebrate inclusion in sport and it’s something we don’t talk enough about in sport. We get to be vocal and proud about different identities and the diversity in teams. Inclusivity is important at university level, so students feel safe whilst studying."
UWA Maali Women's Captain, Jenna Teasdale
The timing of Pride Round is important with the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) approaching in two weeks and Pride Month in June.
UWA Sport celebrates diversity of sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and intersex status. In addition, UWA Sport acknowledge the barriers experienced by the LGBTQIA+ community, and we are passionate about providing a safe space for everyone to lead happy, healthy and active lives. UWA Sport enters its third year of partnership with the Pride in Sport program, making an ongoing commitment to the development and enhancement of the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in sport at UWA.
For more information on the UBL competition, visit UniSport and watch replays at UniSport TV. If you are seeking additional support in the space of LGBTQIA+ inclusion, follow here to see support services.